Pencil



May1'7, 1938.

F. H. MANZANO PENCIL Filed Oct. 31, 1935 Wazziaigenfor ifiz cf f Patented May 17, 1938 r PATENT OFFICE 2,117,439 PENCIL Felix Honorio Manzano, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application October 31, 1935, Serial No. 47,702

, In Argentina April 24, 1935 l I 1 Claim. (01. 120 19) The present invention refers. to a pencil for variable lead lengths which is cheaper in manufacture and very economic in use as compared with both mechanical pencils and common pencils, considering that only a third part is used as the continuous sharpening makes the latter shorter until the remaining portion is useless.

The pencil forming the subject matter of the present invention obviates these drawbacks, presenting at the same time great advantages in every sense, as it refers to a structure similar to that of the common pencils, that is to say, that it comprises a wooden body with its lead placed axially, but being provided with a lengthwise slot in which moves a sliding member actuated by hand for the purpose of pushing the lead forward for obtaining an exposed free end of the desired length, said sliding member being provided with means for looking it in the body of the pencil, at any point desired, for fixing the lead in the proper position. The foregoing is stated with the intention of explaining that the pencil in accordance with the present invention does not require sharpening; it will be sufficient to perform an easy handling of the sliding member, for carrying the lead to the position of use, a fact that makes it possible to utilize the lead to its full length, with the advantage that the body of the pencil remains unaltered. This makes possible the normal use thereof until the lead is almost completely used up.

For clearness and better understanding of the object of the present invention, same has been illustrated in the various figures appearing on the accompanying drawing wherein the new pencil is shown in the preferred form of construction only as an example. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a lengthwise sectional view of the pencil with the sliding member placed in the proper position for using the lead.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same pencil seen from the rear end thereof.

Figure 3 is a lengthwise sectional view of the same pencil, showing how the sliding member must be loosened for pushing the pencil lead forward when desired.

Figure 4 is an end view of the pencil as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sliding member, shown separated from the pencil body.

Figure 6 is a side view of the pencil shown in the former figures with parts in section.

Through all these figures, the numerals and reference characters designate similar or corresponding elements or parts.

' As seen on the drawing, a is the wooden body of the pencil which, being of a cross section either circular, ,angular or of any other convenient shape is tapered at one of its ends in order to present a cone shaped formation I, intended to constitute the lead supporting point for the lead 2, placedwithin an axial duct 3, so that its full length is lodged within the body a, as is usual in the majority of pencils.

As already said, the pencil in accordance with the present invention, is of the type of variable lead and therefore, the lead is so disposed therein that it can be made to slide longitudinally so that it protrudes beyond the end I of the body, without requiring sharpening. Provision has therefore been made for driving the lead which consists of the sliding member b, constituting the principal object of this invention.

For the purpose that the sliding member b, may actuate along the complete length of the body a, the latter is provided with a slot 4 that runs longitudinally therein, parallel to duct 3, from the rear end to the vicinity of the point I, as seen in the figures forming a radial extension of duct 3. The slot 4 may be covered by a small strip of wood 4, left on the material of the body a, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the sliding member b comprises a pushing rod 5 inserted within the duct 3, at the back of the lead 2; the said rod being in this case constituted by two members separated by the recess or narrow slit 5 and is hinged at its rear end to the stop lever B that has a knife formation and is foldable as shown in Figure 3 and when folded against the rod 5, registers with the same for its insertion in recess 5', thus tending to separate or expand its two members.

At its free end the stop lever B of the sliding member b, is provided with a sharpened point, spur or tooth 6, adapted for easily penetrating into the wood of the body a and, at the upper end, is provided with a small knob I intended to facilitate the handling of the sliding member.

When the sliding member is inserted within the body a, the driving rod 5 is susceptible of being moved along the duct 3, while stop 6,.as indicated in Figure 3, is guided by the slot 4. When stop 6 is swung out as illustrated, it serves as grasp means for pushing lead 2, with the intermediary of rod 5, for forcing same to slide and expose its end beyond point I. Stop 6 must then be swung down to its position against rod 5, for the purpose of entering the recess 5 and so produce the separation of the two side members of the rod 5, which will then be pressed against the wall of duct 3, while at the same time, by exerting a slight pressure on stop 6, its sharpened point, spur or tooth 6' will penetrate into the material of the body a. The only part of the sliding member projecting outside the surface of the pencil will thus be the knob 1. The lead 2 will be firmly fixed in the proper position, enabling the use of the pencil for writing purposes, after duly sharpening the lead end as usual. It will be obvious, therefore, that each time that use of the lead 2 is required, it will be sufficient to raise the stop 6 and force the sliding member to advance in the manner explained, and as stop 6 of the sliding member b, has the form of a cutting blade, when it is moved will force its way forward by cutting a portion of the plate 4, the only object of which is to cover or close superficially the slot 4.

It will be evident that when carrying the invention into practice, many variations in the construction and shape of the pencil may be introduced, for instance, the sliding member may adopt other shape or structure than that shown and described, without departing from the scope of the invention, although any variation must not depart from the fundamental principles that are set forth and clearly specified in the claim.

Having now particularly determined and ascertained the nature of my invention and how same can be carried into practice, I declare that What I claim, is:

A pencil with adjustable length of lead, comprising a permanent body of suitable material provided with a longitudinal duct adapted to contain a lead so as to permit said lead to project at one end of said body, said body having a narrow longitudinal slot opening into said duct, a sliding member comprising a twin rod providing a longitudinal slit being slidably mounted in said duct for contacting with the lead, a stop member comprising a knife blade and being hingedly connected to the rod and adapted to swing out through said slot to release the rod when actuated by hand, a spur on the said blade situated between the ends thereof and adapted to pass through said slit in order to grip the wall of said duct and spreading the twin rod, thereby securing the lead in an adjusted position in the body, and a thin covering over said longitudinal slot, said covering being adapted to be cut by the knife edge of said stop member in open position when the sliding member is moved forward to adjust the 26 position of the lead.

FELIX HONORIO MANZANO. 

